NAIROBI, Kenya- A multi-agency security team has intercepted two consignments of methamphetamine at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, dealing a significant blow to an international drug trafficking network.
According to sources, the operation was led by Anti-Narcotics officers working alongside other enforcement agencies.
The seizures highlight growing vigilance at Kenya’s main aviation hub, which authorities say remains a key transit point for global drug routes.
In the first incident, officers discovered 1,730 grams of methamphetamine valued at approximately Sh13.8 million.
The drugs had been concealed in items declared as car pistons, an apparent attempt to evade detection.
Investigations revealed that the consignment originated from Tanzania and was destined for the Philippines.
In a separate but related operation, authorities intercepted a second consignment weighing 1,020 grams with an estimated street value of Sh8 million.
The shipment, traced to Juja, was also bound for the Philippines, raising suspicions of a coordinated trafficking network operating across borders.
Police say the seizures point to increasingly sophisticated methods used by traffickers, including disguising narcotics in mechanical components and routing shipments through multiple countries to avoid detection.
“The interceptions underscore the commitment of our officers and partner agencies in combating transnational organised crime,” the police said in a statement, adding that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend individuals behind the syndicate.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether any arrests have been made in connection with the seizures.
However, they indicated that forensic analysis and intelligence-sharing with international partners are already underway to trace the origins and intended recipients of the drugs.
Kenya has in recent years intensified its crackdown on narcotics trafficking, particularly at key entry and exit points such as JKIA.
The airport remains under heightened surveillance as officials work to dismantle networks exploiting the country as a transit corridor.
Security agencies are urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, as efforts continue to curb the illegal drug trade and safeguard the country’s borders.
